Bethesda mother charged with child neglect

The Bethesda mother who left her 6-year-old daughter at home alone while she went to a kickboxing class has been charged with child neglect, police say.

Both fire and police units responded Wednesday night when a neighbor found the girl outside after a small toaster fire set off a smoke alarm in the girl’s apartment in the 6400 block of Rock Forest Drive in Bethesda.

Unable to locate the mother of the child, officers posted instructions at the home for the mother to contact Montgomery County Police.

At 8:30 p.m., the child was transported to the 2nd District station by officers. The mother, Wafa Mutie Abudib, 38, responded to the police station at 9:00 p.m.

Abudib was issued a uniform criminal citation charging her with confining a child under the age of 8, confined to a dwelling which was out of her sight, while she was absent.

The charge carries a penalty of $500 and /or 30 days in prison. Abudib was released, pending a court hearing. Her daughter was released to her custody.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Montgomery County Child Protective Services at 240-777-4417.